UP Cebu makes graceful exit in CESAFI basketball

CEBU, Philippines — The University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu Fighting Maroons

ended their campaign they way they started it - on a winning note.

Saving their best for last, the Fighting Maroons vanquished the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors, 63-54, for a graceful exit in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Season 24 men’s basketball tournament on Saturday, November 16, at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Fighting Maroons came tumbling down for six consecutive games after kicking off their bid with what was supposed to be a confidence-boosting 74-64 conquest of the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildcats last September 26.

Nevertheless the boys coach Rommel Rasmo stopped the bleeding with their nine-point drubbing of the Warriors to bow out of the tournament with a 2-6 win-loss record and a sense of pride for not being at the tail end of a nine-team field.

Team captain Matthew Flores shepherded the Fighting Maroons to a jubilant farewell with a double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds laced with two assists and as many steals.

JZ Dizon also cracked double figures for UP Cebu with 10 points, six boards and three dimes.

James Gica had 13 points, 11 rebounds, one assist and three steals for the Warriors, who suffered their sixth defeat in seven matches.

In the juniors division, the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Baby Jaguars obliterated the Cebu Roosevelt Memorial Colleges (CRMC) Baby Mustangs, 88-34, to officially secure the top seeding in the Final Four with a 10-1 card.

Jan Vince Oringo banged in 18 markers on top of 11 rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks, Jan Francis Petilos added 14 points and seven boards while Clark Benedick Candia and Shaun Keizer Grava combined for 21 points for the Baby Jaguars, who will enjoy twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals against either the University of Cebu (UC) Baby Webmasters or the Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Blue Dragons.

On the other hand, the two-time defending champions Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles fueled their drive for the No.2 spot and a twice-to-beat edge in the semis with a 68-59 spanking of the UC Baby Webmasters.

Froilan Maglasang exploded for 24 points spiked with five rebounds, three assists and three steals, while Coriantumr Cabantog contributed 16 points, six rebounds and an assist for the Magis Eagles, who are now one victory away from their target with an 8-1 mark.

In the other result, Wade Adam Luche, Felix Jamel Ragasajo and Rafael Calo conspired for 43 points to vault the University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue (UCLM) to an 85-46 thrashing of the USC Baby Warriors.

UCLM headed to the exit with a 5-6 slate while the Baby Warriors sank to 2-8 going into the final assignment.